Question

Discuss adequate light and proper ventilation as components of safe work environment.

Answer 1

From the workers’ perspective, poor lighting at work  can lead to eye‐strain, fatigue, headaches, stress and  accidents. On the other hand, too much light can also  cause safety and health problems such as “glare”  headaches and stress. Both can lead to mistakes at work, poor quality and low productivity. Various  studies suggest that good lighting at the workplace  pays dividends in terms of improved productivity, and  a reduction in errors. For example, in the ILO Manual,  Improving Working Conditions and Productivity in the  Garment Industry, it indicates that improved lighting  in some factories resulted in a 10% increase in  productivity and a 30% reduction in errors.  Improvements in lighting do not necessarily mean  that you need more lights and therefore use more  electricity – it is often a case of:  

• making better use of existing lights;  

• making sure that all lights are clean and in  good condition (see below);  

• ensuring that lights are positioned correctly  for each task; and

• making the best use of natural light.  

Most factories have a combination of natural and  artificial lighting. However, it appears that little  attention is paid to the type of work – it is as though  all work in the factory requires the same degree of  lighting.